Sunday, December 21, 2014

It's year end. Ya Hu!I think I have blogged enough for 2014.This is the 240th posting for the year, so gimme a break y'all.Thanks for reading.Thanks for tolerating my merepek nonsense ramblings.It's time to chill until the new year turns up.'Tis time to let one's hair down.It's time I say tata for now.Happy holidays!Everybody sing:Make my wish come trueAll I want for the New Year is YOU: D

Saturday, December 20, 2014

I am very excited and happy to have received this wonderful gift from a perpetual musafir. It's about mosques and mausoleum in Penang from 1730s to 2012. Indeed, the book is a must-have/must-read for Penangites. The publication was part of an initiative called Penang Story. It is a collaboration between Think City, Penang Heritage Trust and Universiti Sains Malaysia - one of Malaysia's top universities based in Penang.

History of Mosques and Mausoleum in Penang
1730s - 2012

The book which was funded by Think City, is based on a research carried out in 1974 by a group of students at the Malayan Teachers College in Gelugor, Penang. The six-member research team, led by Mr. W. Williams, named their work 'Historical Survey of the Mosques and Kramats on Penang Island'.

Out of the 75 mosques and 24 kramats/maqam/mausoleum listed in the book, in my opinion, 3 mosques and 2 maqams are a must-visit if you only have two days to spend in Penang Island. One of them is Masjid Batu Uban in Gelugor which we talked about several postings back. Click here for related links.

The other two mosques - Masjid Kapitan Keling and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh - are two very beautiful and prominent mosques in the smack of George Town. Both are on the tourist/heritage trail. While you marvel at their outward beauty, you should know that there are two great personalities behind them. Cauder Mohudeen or Kapitan Keling and Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid were two remarkable community leaders who left a splendid legacy through the simple and mighty noble act of waqaf.

Cauder Mohudeen (1759 - 1834) was an active trader from Pondicherry, South India who already had business dealings with Nagore[a town along the Bay of Bengal in south east India], Kedah [a state in north Peninsula Malaysia] and Sumatera/Indonesia even before he joined Captain Francis Light's entourage to Penang in 1786. Cauder Mohudeen first served Captain Light [founder of the British colony in Penang], as crew leader. Within the first few years in Penang, after having reaped business opportunities on account of his good relationship with Captain Light, Cauder Mohudeen became the richest and most influential Chulia [a name used by the British in reference to Muslims from South India]. In 1801, Cauder Mohudeen got elected as Kapitan [chief] of the Chulias and became known as Kapitan Keling. As the first and charismatic leader of the Chulias, Kapitan Keling submitted an application to the British government for a plot of land for the purpose of building a mosque. On 2nd November 1801, Sir George Leith, the British first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island [Penang Island] granted 18 acres of land solely for building a mosque and as compound for a Muslim cemetery. In 1802, with funding assistance from the East India Company and contributions from Muslim traders in George Town, a mosque was built and named Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Sixty five years later as George Town grew in population and trading activities, and more so after London began overseeing the management of the Straits Settlements [i.e. Penang, Malacca and Singapore] the 18 acre land meant for the mosque and Muslim cemetery had to be given up to make way for a market and a police station. In 1903, there were only 8 acres left. In 1905, the mosque's affairs were put under the purview of the Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Ordinance. The ordinance was set up tosupervise waqaf properties in the Straits Settlements. Cauder Mohudeen or Kapitan Keling, as a wealthy trader, owned some 50,000 square feet of waqaf land. He, his three wives and their seven children were all buried on this piece of waqaf property. He also had 18 houses built in situ.

Masjid Kapitan Keling
underwent a major refurbishment in 1916
(funded by the Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Board)
and several times more between 1928-1935, 2002 and 2011.
The mosque served as Penang's State Mosque until 1980.

***
Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh [a.k.a. Acheen Street Mosque] is the other prominent mosque in George Town which you must visit. It is about 5-minute walk from Masjid Kapitan Keling. It was built in 1808, just six years after the completion of Masjid Kapitan Keling. Its founder Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid as a reputable and influential leader of the Malay community felt there was a need to have a mosque for the Malays [Melayu] because the Friday sermons at Masjid Kapitan were delivered in Tamil.

Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid (d 1840) was a member of the Aceh [Indonesia] royal family who owned a flourishing spice trading business. In 1791, he signed a pact with Captain Francis Light claiming independent authority over his followers and rights to free trade including tin business. On top of the enterprises in Penang, Tunku Sayyid Hussain was also agent for Palmer & Co based in Calcutta, India. He owned at least three trading vessels and George Town's first high-rise building i.e a four-storey building where his office was located. The building also functioned as godown for spices. The godown, known as Rumah Tinggi [Tall House] was valued at $6,000 Spanish dollar and with that Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid qualified as the third richest man in George Town, after Captain Francis Light and his friend James Scott.

Tunku Sayyid Hussain was so rich that he afforded a loan amounting to $50,000 Spanish dollar to East India Company who got into financial difficulties in 1815. In 1820 Tunku Sayyid Hussain offered some 66,000 square feet of waqaf land for religious purposes. Rental collections from about 14 properties were channeled to the mosque's trust fund meant for charitable causes, such as education. A house dedicated for Malay children was built on the waqaf land.

Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh/Acheen Street Mosque
[The small structure on the far right is where
Maqam of Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid is housed]

After his demise in 1840, Lebuh Aceh/Acheen Street continued to prosper and evolved as a center for hajj pre-departure activities. This took place in the mid-19th century when Penang Port became the region's one and only point of disembarkation for hajj. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh became a pivotal center for religious studies for would-be pilgrims and others. It was where high calibre spiritual leaders like Shaykh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi came to the fore. Shaykh Omar was then serving as imam of the mosque from whom the British had sought for help in resolving community conflicts and riots in Penang.

Shaykh Omar Basheer (1811 - 1881) descended from an Arab family from Hadramaut. He was born in 1811 in an area within the vicinity of Masjid Kapitan Keling. He was well educated and received plenty of training in Mecca from several outstanding scholars. His maqam is located in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Itam [northwest of George Town] near his family home which also served as a center for Naqshbandi Tariqa activities. His maqam is a must-visit destination.

Shaykh Omar's grandfather, Hamid bin Bahman was a reputable Sufi leader in Hadramaut. He first brought/introduced the Naqshbandi Tariqa in Penang in 1806 and set up a 'House of Seclusion' known as Madrasatul Suluk Kampung Melayu. In 1840, Shaykh Omar was gifted with a house in Kampung Melayu which originally belonged to Captain Francis Light's Secretary.

Monday, December 15, 2014

This is the most thought provoking phrase of the week for me. It's by Alan Watts (1915 - 1973) a British philosopher and writer.

"If to enjoy even an enjoyable present we must have the assurance of a happy future, we are 'crying for the moon.' We have no such assurance. The best predictions are still matters of probability rather than certainty...."

"But the future is still not here, and cannot become a part of experienced reality until it is present. Since what we know of the future is made up of purely abstract and logical elements - inferences, guesses, deductions - it cannot be eaten, felt, smelled, seen, heard, or otherwise enjoyed. To pursue it is to pursue a constantly retreating phantom, and the faster you chase it, the faster it runs ahead. This is why all the affairs of civilization are rushed, why hardly anyone enjoys what he has, and is forever seeking more and more. Happiness, then, will consist, not of solid and substantial realities, but of such abstract and superficial things as promises, hopes and assurances."

***

Reflecting on this, makes us realize how true it is, that people have the tendency to cry for the moon, that people seek future assurance. Because of restless seeking for a secured future we forget and fail to appreciate the present, let alone enjoy it. It is a waste of energy to be restless about the future. I think that's why there is such a thing as tawakkal and yaqin. And husnul zan towards Allah and His grand plans. With Him around, life should be good.

Let's enjoy the present because the future cannot be eaten, felt, smelled, seen, heard and enjoyed. Therefore, fret not. And don't bother about other people's future either. Mind your own present and chill.

And this has got to be the most valuable advice and reminder this week. It's by our dearest Habib Umar bin Hafiz, as published on Muwasala FB, recorded from an event in Cape Town in Dec 2014.

"The believer is honored by being connected to the name of Allah in all his states. Even when he sleeps. The Prophet salallah alaihi wasalam taught him to say: 'In your name my Lord, I place my side and in your name I raise it."

Habib Umar asked: "What is our state with regards to bismillah? Did you wear some clothing without saying bismillah and without being aware of the meaning? Is there something in your stomach which entered without you saying bismillah first? Did you enter the masjid in a state of awareness of bismillah? If we have said bismillah then how much have we reflected upon it and understood its meanings?"

***
From the above, we may deduce:
In each state, that is in each present, if we were to connect ourselves to the Name of Allah by saying bismillah, our present would be in an honorable state. The present moment would be meaningful as we are carried from one 'present' to the next 'present' with mindfulness, because we are going from bismillah to another bismillah continually. And thus making each moment a good present all the way. In other words, if we mind the present in the right way, it is as if the future takes care of itself - bismillah.

Friday, December 12, 2014

One woman whose life, from the perspective of ignorant mortals, might not have been as rosy as most people, but who knows what the Master Judge thinks and evaluates? People who have plenty of the worldly possessions will have plenty to be judged, whereas people who have less, will not have so much to declare and be worried about. My aunt, Maryam, had passed away on Wednesday. She was in her early 70s. She was one woman who lived a simple life. It's amazing how the merciful Lord made her look like she was in her 30s at point of death. She is my mother's younger sister.

***

Tonight, we had a small majlis to recite Yasin and tahlil for her, for everyone in my family who have passed and all the ar-ruh of muslimin and muslimat in the realm of barzakh. The imam who recited talqin (the farewell prayers) for her, led the Yasin recital and the majlis - subdued yet beautiful.

I remembered seeing a miracle when she was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit two weeks ago. She looked like she was half dead. Her heart rate was very low. Her tongue was lifeless. When I tried to open her eyes, it felt like the eyelid was glued to the eyeball and I had to peel it open. And the eyeballs looked like lifeless stones. There wasn't any signs of life at all. So we geared up on reciting the Quran and zikrullah in her ears. When my mother was left alone by her side, on the third recital of the Yasin, her eyes miraculously flung open. My mother got very shocked at the abrupt change of condition so she rushed out of the ward to call me in. Subhanallah, we saw Al-Muhyi at work, literally.

***

It's humbling to see how Allah, Majestic is He, who decides when a person dies. Just when we thought a person could be dying, He proved us wrong. After that miraculous incident, my aunt seemed to have gotten better that she was discharged from the hospital. Subhan is Allah, who then decided to take her to the realm barzakh on the appointed day and time, when we thought she was positively recovering from her illness. Glory be to Al Mumit who causes His servants/creations to die, thus showing us how powerful His prerogative is and to Him we shall all return.

***
I humbly ask that you recite Al-Fatihah for my aunt, and all our relatives and friends, mine and yours, all who have gone before us.

Monday, December 8, 2014

You might have noticed there had been several postings related to al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz lately. Someone noticed it and appreciated it, hence presented me with a book by Habib Umar - The Clarification of Noble Character.

How cool is that? Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. For having shown a bit of dedication on posting notes from Habib Umar's majalis during his recent South East Asia tour, I have bagged a precious book, by His decree. Ya Hu!

Below are two quotes from Lesson 7 on magnanimity:

"People must realize the underlying truth that the universe runs according to a will other than theirs, by a decree other than theirs and by a plan other than theirs. Instead it runs according to the decree of Allah. If they understand this, believe it and actualise it, it becomes firmly planted within them that whenever something happens, it is from the decree of Allah and nothing will be, except what He wills. It has been related in an authenticated hadith: 'What Allah wills come to pass, and what He does not will, does not come to pass.'

***

Reading this para alone makes you feel liberated. No need to be so stressed out. No need to be a control freak. No need to be a hoarder. No need to hire a spy, etcetera.

***

"A knower of Allah was once asked, How did you come to know your Lord? He replied: 'Through the failure of my plans. I prepare for something, focus my energy and attention upon it and then it is not decreed and does not happen. Meanwhile there are other things that never cross my mind and without me realizing they occur and become reality. Through this I understand that there is planning other than our planning and power other than our power."

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Alhamdulillah, the Singapore based Sout Ilaahi Group will be hosting the 5th 'Sacred Path of Love' retreat on 27 & 28 Dec 2014 InshaAllah.

The subject of focus this year is: Effect of the Age.

Shaykh Abdul Aziz Fredericks from UK and Imam Abdoulaye Ndaw from USA will be covering exciting topics as listed below:

Day 1 @ Singapore Management University

Contentment in failure: Understanding the wisdom of life

Ocean of Mercy: In the footsteps of the Beloved (Salallah alaihi wasalam)

The age of loneliness: Embracing the reality of life

Crisis of knowledge: Between knowing and living

Day 2 @ Masjid Jamiyah Ar-Rabitah

The beauty in struggle: Finding peace within

Cultivating mindfulness: The art of living

***

Very exciting topics indeed! So go on, buy the ticket and take the spiritual ride. The choice of venue for Day 1 seems fitting because we all need to learn how to manage failures, loneliness and the crisis of knowledge - things they never taught us in uni. In managing these critical issues, we should look at the good examples as set by the greatest of men - Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihi wasalam. We have all heard from the shuyukh and habaib the importance of keeping the tie/bond i.e. rabitah with the Prophet salallah alaihi wasalam.

It is also fitting that on the second day, you will be gathered at the House of Allah - Masjid Ar-Rabitah where the honorable speakers would coach you on how to find peace within yourself and cultivate mindfulness.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Via Muwasala FB, I learned about Habib Umar's prayer based on the Name of Allah - Al-Mubdi' which means the Initiator of Creation. He initiated all this that we have around us. He's the Founder. It all originated from Him. He started all this.

By the way, the du'a that you see beneath the title of this blog, calling upon His Name Al-Hamid, is also from Habib Umar bin Hafiz. May Allah let us continue to benefit from his counsel.

It's interesting that in this du'a in relation to the Name Al-Mubdi', Habib Umar composed it as such:

O Allah, O Initiator of Creation, bestow abundant prayers and peace upon Your slave and beloved, our Master Muhammad, the Prophet with whose light You initiated creation and upon his Family and Companions, and by him give us what we have asked for and what we have not asked for from Your immense generosity, out of Your bounty and kindness.

Surely we have been asking Him for lots of things, there are also things that we wish for in our hearts but somehow we don't articulate it on the tongue. Plus, there are things that we never knew we should be asking for it. Imagine if we were to be given only the things that we asked?! Glory be to Allah, who gives great stuffs we never asked for. If we care to pause, observe and reflect, there are plenty of pleasant surprises He gives us on a daily basis. Also the unpleasant things which got averted by His Kindness. Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.

I don't know about you, but for the first time in my life I learned to ask to be given what I have asked for and what I have not asked for, from the One God who started it all - Al Mubdi' .

I also think that the best thing about making a petition for both 'what we have asked for and what we have not asked for', is that it puts us in a firm position to just ask for both and that leaves no room for maybes.

Before we ask from people, we think 'should I ask or should I not ask.' because our asking might turn them off. But with Allah, we are encouraged to ask and ask and ask, and now we should also ask for the things 'we have not asked for'.

Allah has no maybes either. He does not think "Maybe I give, maybe I don't." He gives all the time, even when He does not seem to be giving.

Friday, December 5, 2014

We all have a footprint to leave here. You get to decide and imprint your own beautiful design on this world.That's Dawn Hafner's concluding points in his article:'5 Quotes From Bill Gates That Will Teach You Valuable Life Lessons'1. Focus 2. Feed your mind 3. Discipline - "Don't let yourself lulled into inaction" - Bill Gates4. Be yourself 5. Give back

Footprints on a spiritual island
off the coast of Melaka, Malaysia.
Because the great saintly people of the past
have left their significant imprints here
hundreds of years ago,
people still flock to this island
in search of inspirations.
***
What's so great about our footprints?
What good shall we leave behind?

Yes, we get to decide and imprint our own beautiful design on this world. It's about consciously carrying out actions that are worthwhile, just because it's simply worthwhile. Not because we want or need people to validate us, never.

Alhamdulillah for awakening moments and a meaningful life, so far.

Let's all be grateful and ask Him for more because His gifts are limitless.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Habib Umar bin Hafiz, his every word feels like a shooting star. So many hearts fell in love.

O Allah, make us love the solehin,
make us love those whom You love.

O Allah, praise be to You
for making it easy for us to love.

***

Habib Umar's trip to Malaysia as part of his 2014 Da'wah Tour to the South East Asia had ended a few days ago. But sweet beautiful thoughts of him remain fresh and fragrant. Until next time, ya sayyidi, inshaAllah.

And this heart cries for missing out on the upcoming International Spiritual Retreat in Cape Town organized by the Mahabbah Foundation. By Allah, I will be there next year, bi-iznillah.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

You are my angel simply because you are angelicals. You know who you are.

That red velvet cupcake is for you sweety. And the message too.Be in love with your life, every single minute of it.
Because you are worth it and because it's worth it, because had He not let us live here, we would not have known Him, our Creator, the Almighty Lord. You all know that.

You would understand me completely if I say truthfully I was supposed to tidy up my room [LOL] but then I thought I ought to write a posting, not just another posting but a special shout-out to you ladies, my sisters.

Know that you mean a lot to me. I know you love me and I love you too, certainly. What more can be said? A heart knows what it loves and whom she loves. Love needs no explanation. It is what it is.

May our love for each other for the sake of Allah, be a reason for us to receive His endless mercy in this abode and the next, for eternity. Ameen.

Thank you for being you, cause you're amazing just the way you are!

Yours,

-E-

p/s

My mom insisted on having this photo here because she thought I looked good in that abaya by Madeena. Yes, we endorse apparels by Madeena @ Mizz Nina the once-upon-a-time pop star who went for hajj and came back as a sparkling brand new Muslimah. I salute her and all of you remarkable talented ladies out there!

p/s That Oroton clutch is also designed by a woman. Amazzzzzing! Feeling golden : )

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Habib Umar bin Hafiz was the guest khatib at Masjid As-Syakirin last Friday, 28 Nov 2014. The mosque is located within the gardens of Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), Malaysia.

The respectable habib delivered the Friday sermons in Arabic. At the conclusion of the Friday prayers, Habib Ali Zainal Abidin interpreted his guru's khutbah into Malay. A friend of mine made an audio record of the session. Below is my sketchy notes of the recording.

Habib Umar began his khutbah with syahadah and salutations to the Prophet salallah alaihi wasalam. He said: "I call upon you to observe taqwa in private and in public; in your speech and actions; when you are at home and when you are travelling. Be sure to have taqwa wherever you are. Verily, this is a sign of your iman which could save you from dunya and take you to the heavens. Allah has created various levels of both the heavens and hell. Which level we are entitled to depends on how we spend our age. The time/age allotted to each one of us, will neither increase nor decrease. Our age will determine our position in dunya and akhirah. Allah says in the Qur'an about the time of death which He has firmly appointed, it will neither be delayed nor brought forward. Whoever wishes for dunya may seek it and whoever wishes for rewards in the hereafter shall be granted, more so for those who are grateful."

"We must occupy our time with performing the obligatory and refrain ourselves from the forbidden. This applies to acts which are permissible or mubah. If you were to make a good intention when you do a mubah action, you would be rewarded, but if you don't make a good intention out of it, you get nothing. For example eating. You would surely be rewarded if you eat while appreciating the blessings of Allah, that is to eat with taqwa, reflecting on the simple joy of eating. A person who says bismillah before eating is not the same as one who does not say bismillah. Allah loves those who eat and praise Him and then praise Him again after eating. It's that easy to get His love. Those who eat without saying bismillah and without feeling grateful for the food, they are like animals. The believers will take advantage of mubah deeds and reap more rewards from Allah. Those who have iman and have a big ambition and aim towards Allah, they are not comparable to the animals. A good example may be drawn from Prophet Ibrahim who says: "He [Allah] who gives me food and gives me drink."

"On average, a man/woman lives up to the age of 60 or 70. Very few people live beyond that. Majority of the jemaah present in this congregation is below 60 years old. Take advantage of your age because death awaits each one of us. Many of those who have reached old age are regretful, wishing they could go back to the time when they are capable of doing more ibadah. Allah hides the time of our death. We know not on which land we shall die. It is strange how people prepare themselves for a good future in dunya while knowing that it does not last, yet they don't prepare for their future in akhirah which is everlasting. Now which is more profitable, your future in this dunya or your future in akhirah? At the time of death, those who focus on dunya would wish so that their lives could be spared. But who can make one's ruh return to the body? None, except Allah."

"There will be three groups of people in akhirah: the muqarabin who would occupy a lofty place; the ashabul yamin (people of the right hand) who will be saved and thirdly, the infidels who are destined for hell. This is haqqul yaqin. This will take place for certain. Allah says so. It's not a word of a politician or some organization. Therefore, take advantage of your age. Don't be deceived by your lower nafs/desires and fantasies. The believers would be wary of their fate in akhirah. The believers will be given hidayah. No one knows when or where he will die. Be sure to understand this reality."

[In the second part of the khutbah, Habib Umar said:]

"Be conscious of your breathing and use it to gain a bountiful reward. Spend it to make the earth prosperous and to live a good life. Whoever does a good deed, will be given a good life. The unbelievers, the fasiq and those who transgressed, even if they live a life devoid of sickness or problems, they are in reality living a deprived life. They are lacking in spiritual provisions. They are in fact hungry and thirsty for they are deprived of spiritual food. They break ties, they mistreat their parents, they harm others, hence they will be punished. Be prepared and be afraid of Allah's judgment. Those who are steadfast in their servitude towards Allah, they will be given His guidance, blessings and mercy. They truly have taqwa. Therefore, spend your life wisely in worship of Allah. Allah has created this earth for His righteous servants. Even the good among us will be remorseful at death, what more those who err? Observe taqwa in your every move, your clothing, your food, your sleep, by making a good intention, so that your work, clothing, eating and sleep, all would garner a good reward from Allah."

Monday, December 1, 2014

This very interesting article on China's old mosques contributes to my 6-minutes a day reading.

Did you know 1.8% or 23 million of China's 1.3 billion citizens are Muslims?There are about 100 mosques in China that were built before 1700, out of a total of about 30,000 mosques in Central and Northern China.Check out: Saudi Aramco World magazine - Nov/Dec 2014 issue

Reading for six minutes is the minimum daily target, if you want to reduce stress. A study conducted by the Uni of Essex showed a reduction of 68% in stress level if you were to read for at least 6 minutes a day. I hope reading one posting on this bog which I reckon would take you only half a minute could help you achieve that minimum requirement, hence reduce your stress level just a wee bit.

Alhamdulillah, thank God for simple little joy and healing we could get from reading.

It's Decemberrrrrr folks! Alhamdulillah, we have come to the last month of the Gregorian calendar. Alhamdulillah for each and every little inspirations that have come our way in 2014 - like being regular in drinking 1 litre of green tea in a day. I am a GTD, I have become a Green Tea Drinker, yes! There are plenty of health benefits of drinking green tea. Its best attribute according to the experts is catechin. And it can make you smarter. That's the best part, is it not?

[Note: This message is especially aimed at my nieces/nephews. Shafiqah, I know you keep scoring full marks in Maths, so imagine the wonders of becoming a GTD?]

Apparently, GTD also stands for Getting Things Done - which is an all year round good habit to have.

Until then, enjoy December : )

This blogger endorses this 1-litre flask by Thermos.
A happy GTD, she has become.

On a serious note: Habib Umar bin Hafiz in the inroduction of his tausiyah at Masjid Sultan in Singapore on 11 Nov 2014 said:

"No morsel of food
and no sip of water
enter anyone's mouth
except that it is by Allah's will."